Military Law Center

09/03/2026

Before any case can be referred to a general court-martial, the government has to clear one more hurdle: the Article 32 preliminary hearing. This is where your defense can challenge the evidence, question witnesses, and argue for dismissal or a lesser forum before trial ever starts.

Too many service members waive this hearing without understanding what they are giving up. An experienced attorney can use this stage to negotiate, expose weaknesses in the government's case, and sometimes end things before they escalate.

Facing charges? Do not waive your rights without talking to us first. Call (760) 536-9038

Facing an Article 32 Hearing in California? Our experienced military defense lawyers fight for CA service members. FREE Case Evaluation: Call (760) 536-9038.

09/02/2026

Domestic violence allegations in the military move fast. A single 911 call can trigger a no contact order, a command investigation, and potential Article 128b charges within days. First Sergeants and military police often see conflicting accounts, and many of these cases hinge entirely on one person's word against another's.

If you are facing a domestic violence allegation, protect yourself early. Do not make statements to investigators without counsel present.

Military Law Center defends service members against domestic violence charges worldwide. Call (760) 536-9038.

Even a misdemeanor Domestic Violence conviction could end your military career. Get help now! Military Law Center. San Diego-based - Worldwide Availability

09/01/2026

The Pentagon's newest report shows military sexual assault cases have declined for a third straight year, with an estimated 20,492 service members affected in fiscal 2025, down from 29,000 in 2023. Formal reports rose to nearly 8,000, a trend officials link to more troops coming forward.

Fewer cases reported does not mean lower stakes for someone facing an allegation. Every accused service member still has the right to a full Article 32 investigation and experienced defense counsel before a case is ever referred to court-martial.

Facing an accusation? Do not wait. Call Military Law Center at (760) 536-9038.

A survey found that roughly 20,500 sexual assaults occurred in the U.S. military in fiscal year 2025, down from 29,000 in fiscal year 2023.

08/31/2026

For Navy and Marine Corps veterans, the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) is the primary avenue for correcting service record errors, from fixing incorrect dates and ranks to upgrading an unjust discharge characterization.

Common corrections we help veterans pursue through BCNR include:
- Discharge status upgrades (available after 15+ years as a veteran)
- Corrections to service dates, rank, and other record errors
- Documentation of mental health conditions that were never properly considered at the time of separation

A well-prepared petition backed by the right medical and service records can make the difference between approval and denial.

Full guide to the BCNR process: https://militarylawcenter.com/bcnr-application/

If you're a Sailor or Marine looking to correct your record, our attorneys have helped veterans navigate this process successfully. Call (760) 536-9038 for a consultation.

Your guide to a successful BCNR application. Discover the steps involved in filing a successful BCNR application. Get tips on building a strong case.

08/28/2026

Serving your country shouldn't put your finances at risk. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) exists to make sure it doesn't.

The SCRA offers real protections for active duty personnel: capped interest rates on pre-service debt, safeguards against eviction and foreclosure, and protection from default judgments while you're deployed or unable to respond to a lawsuit.

A lot of service members don't know these protections exist until they need them.

Learn what the SCRA covers and how to use it: https://militarylawcenter.com/servicemembers-civil-relief-act/

Questions about your rights under the SCRA? Call us at (760) 536-9038.

08/27/2026

Wrong dates. A misspelled name. An unjust discharge characterization. Errors in your military record aren't just paperwork problems, they can quietly cost you benefits and recognition you've earned.

Every branch of the Armed Forces has a Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR) built specifically to fix these mistakes. The process can feel intimidating, but you don't have to navigate it alone.

Our guide walks through how the BCMR process works and what a successful petition looks like: https://militarylawcenter.com/bcmr-application/

Think your record has an error? Call us at (760) 536-9038 to talk through your options.

Struggling with your military record? Increase your chances of success. Learn how to correct errors in your military record with a BCMR application.

08/26/2026

A less-than-honorable discharge can feel permanent. It isn't always.

We recently helped a Navy veteran secure a long-overdue discharge upgrade tied to Military Sexual Trauma. The Board for Correction of Naval Records agreed that his mental health conditions, not misconduct, were the real story behind his separation, and granted an upgrade to General (Under Honorable Conditions).

Veterans living with the effects of MST, PTSD, or TBI have a legal right to pursue this kind of relief, even years later.

https://militarylawcenter.com/military-discharge-upgrade/

If a bad paper discharge is standing between you and the benefits you earned, call us at (760) 536-9038.

Talk to a military discharge upgrade lawyer. Our attorneys help veterans secure successful discharge upgrades and restore benefits. Free consultation.

08/25/2026

Most service members don't realize this: if your commanding officer treats you unfairly, exceeds their authority, or shows personal bias against you, you have a formal way to fight back. It's called a Complaint of Wrongs under Article 138, UCMJ.

It's one of the least understood rights in the UCMJ. You have to work through the chain of command first, meet strict deadlines, and follow proper procedure or the complaint can be dismissed before it's even heard.

We put together a full guide on how the process works and what to expect. Read it here: https://militarylawcenter.com/navigating-a-complaint-of-wrongs-under-article-138-ucmj/

Questions about a situation with your command? Call us at (760) 536-9038.

The military justice system provides you, the service member, with the right to address wrongs committed by your commanding officer. Article 138, Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), empowers you to file a formal complaint and seek redress. This comprehensive guide equips you with the knowledge....

08/24/2026

A negative counseling rebuttal will not erase the counseling from your record. Some service members skip writing one for that reason. That is a mistake.

The rebuttal becomes part of the permanent record alongside the counseling itself. It corrects factual inaccuracies, presents supporting documentation like witness statements or emails, and gives context that a board, promotion panel, or future command will read right next to the original allegation.

Deadlines to submit a rebuttal are short, so acting quickly after receiving a negative counseling matters as much as what the rebuttal says.

If you believe a counseling you received was unfair or inaccurate, do not let the deadline pass.

Call (760) 536-9038 or visit the link below.

Don't stay silent after receiving negative counseling. Military Law Center: Your advocates for a clean military record after negative counseling. Call Today

08/21/2026

Not all assault charges under the UCMJ carry the same exposure. Article 128 covers a wide range of conduct, and where a case falls on that range determines how serious the consequences can be.

Simple assault is treated differently than aggravated assault, which involves a dangerous weapon or intent to cause death or serious bodily harm. Recent changes to Article 128 also added enhanced penalties when the alleged victim is a spouse, intimate partner, or immediate family member, which is prosecuted under Article 128b.

That distinction between simple and aggravated is often where a defense is built or lost.

If you are facing an assault charge, military or civilian, understand what you are actually being accused of.
Call (760) 536-9038 or visit the link below.

https://militarylawcenter.com/military-law-areas-of-practice/military-assault-charges/